Raise the Hammer

Articles in Special Report: Walkable Streets

Transport Trucks Do Not Belong in the CityWe should not be deforming our communities and denying the potential for traffic calming, just so that a transport truck driver can save a couple of minutes shortcutting through the heart of the city. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Traffic Calming Changes to Slip Lane at Queen and AberdeenA bumpout has been added on the north edge of the slip lane to discourage speeding into the slip lane, and the wedge of raised curb on the intersection side of the slip lane has been widened to create a neckdown for cars turning onto Queen. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 17, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)

New Life for Long-Delayed Queen Street ConversionThe status quo on Queen Street is both dangerous and pointless for everyone in its current configuration: motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, commuters and local residents alike. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 31, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (6 comments)

Becoming a Mommy FlaneurCities have been designed with the needs of men in mind, for a time when women did mostly unpaid work and community work. Women have different transport needs, but these realities are not reflected in our city building efforts. Why not? by Maureen WilsonPublished October 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)

Piecemeal Two-Way Conversions on Hughson, King WilliamHughson Street North will be switched to two-way between Wilson Street and Barton Street East, and King William Street will be switched to two-way between John Street North and Mary Street. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

The Halifax Department of Silly WalksFlags and high-visibility clothing are useful for temporary conditions and for traffic control personnel, but not for everyday conditions and everyday people. by Sean MarshallPublished July 28, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)

The Burden to Prevent Needless Traffic FatalitiesWhen Council delays action on pedestrian safety, Council is accepting the burden of needless, preventable deaths. by Adrian DuyzerPublished June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

Everyone Deserves Safe StreetsIt's great that Councillor Lloyd Ferguson recognizes the value of safe streets in Ancaster. He just needs to extend the same understanding to residents in the rest of the city. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

Let's go Dutch part VII: Stop Killing Children!In The Netherlands, the kind of rat-running that killed Jasmin Hanif has been systematically eliminated from almost every residential street in the entire country. by Kevin LovePublished June 01, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)

Take Whitehead's Advice and Make Yourself HeardThis call to action on complete streets, bike lanes, parking lots, parking rates and LRT from a senior member of Council should not go unheeded. by Craig BurleyPublished March 17, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

Angry Right-Wing Populist Whitehead Smears Movement for a More Inclusive CityWhitehead wants the best of both worlds: to be seen magnanimously doing the right thing at a policy level, while at the same time dog-whistling the bitterness and resentment of cynical anti-urbanists who see the lower city as 'nowhere'. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 15, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)

Fully Signalized Intersection at King and PearlThis is an encouraging sign that staff increasingly regard the city as a work in constant progress, susceptible to continuous incremental improvements. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)

Hamilton's Vision Zero Survey that Only Drivers can CompleteA 'Vision Zero' survey that can only be completed by drivers is going to be about as effective as a "mouse protection" survey that can only be completed by cats. by Kevin LovePublished November 08, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

Remove it and They Will DisappearIf you make it easier and quicker to drive, more people drive. If it is not so easy to drive, fewer people will drive or they will drive less. The net result of reducing lanes is less traffic, not gridlock. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished September 26, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)

Hamilton Needs to Design for Health and Illness PreventionThis is a time for serious talk and meaningful action. Instead, we have some members of Hamilton City council who would have us get sucked into a time warp. That's a dereliction of duty. by Maureen WilsonPublished September 22, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)

City Opens First New Pedestrian Crossover (PXO)The new PXO at Limeridge Road East and the Escarpment Rail Trail is the first of more than thirty to be installed before the end of 2017. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 19, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)

Vehicle Speed and Stopping DistanceVision Zero calls for a commitment to 30 km/h speed limits on most city streets in part because a vehicle's stopping distance increases dramatically with its speed. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 29, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

Beckett Drive Closure Demonstrates Need for More Balanced AberdeenWe can do a better job of balancing the understandable desire for cut-through drivers to save a bit of time with the equally-understandable desire of local residents to have a safer, more inclusive street for all uses. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished August 26, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)

Site Plan for 560 Grays Road and Multi-Use Path - UpdatedThe City's head of planning has clarified that the site plan for a new development planned at Grays Road and Frances Avenue will not replace the existing paved multi-use path with a sidewalk, forcing cyclists into vehicle traffic. by Viv SaundersPublished August 11, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)

Cognitive Psychology and Vehicle SpeedA seemingly small difference in vehicle speed can mean life or death for a pedestrian or cyclist, and not just because it heightens the force of impact in a collision. It's not just because physics. It's also because psychology. by Michelle MartinPublished August 04, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)

An Annotated Tour of Councillor Whitehead's Latest Traffic MotionThe motion is a jumble of narrow, mean-spirited, divisive noise that presumes its own conclusions, pits different parts of the city against each other and does nothing to move the city forward. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 09, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (51 comments)

PlanLocal: Building Safer Streets In Ward 2We encourage anyone who lives or owns a business in Ward 2 to identify their unsafe locations and potential solutions online or at a location in their neighbourhood. by Graeme DouglasPublished May 05, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

Whitehead: Notice of Motion to Close Queen Street, West 5th AccessesAngry about a housekeeping motion to fix an amendment missed from a Council-approved motion on Aberdeen Avenue, Councillor Whitehead proposes closing the Beckett Drive and James Mountain Road accesses. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 02, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)

Getting to Real Pedestrian Safety'Shared responsibility' messaging ignores our basic human responsibilities - to look out for the more vulnerable among us. by Justin JonesPublished May 02, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Why Vision Zero Calls for a 30 km/h Speed LimitThe short answer is: because physics. For the longer answer, we need to review some classical mechanics you may remember from high school. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)

Dangerous Streets Discourage Children from Walking to SchoolWe can make a city where it really is the best place to raise a child - where it's safe to walk to school - but that will require political leadership. by Jason AllenPublished April 15, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)

WHO Diabetes Report Calls for Active Transportation InfrastructureThe solution to this crisis is not to tell people to be more careful but rather to combine education and policy to create an environment in which a healthy lifestyle becomes the default rather than a defiant act of will. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 07, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Vision Zero Bolted Onto Road Safety Status QuoVision Zero is not just some hand-wavy "principles and values" you can say you support and then go back to doing what you were already doing. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 31, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)

Terry Whitehead's Cute War Against Safer StreetsWhitehead's covert war on safe, inclusive streets aims to tie staff's hands and passively block the City from being able to achieve the goals that Hamiltonians have repeatedly called for and Council has repeatedly set. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 07, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)

Pedestrian Nonfrastructure on Fennell at West 5thIt's hard to believe this situation exists so close to Mohawk College, a giant new hospital development, and right in front of the Auchmar property. by Bob BerberickPublished February 08, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Even Walkable Streets Dedicate Most Space to CarsEven streets that are regarded as urban and walkable still allocate the lion's share of space for the exclusive use of cars, squeezing everything else to the margins. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 20, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Councillor Green to Introduce Vision Zero MotionWard 3 Councillor Matthew Green has introduced a notice of motion to establish a Vision Zero-style commitment to road safety in Hamilton, particularly for people walking and cycling. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 19, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

No Wonder the Main West Esplanade BIA Has Gone DormantThe actual reason behind the challenges facing this BIA just might have to do with the fact that the businesses in question find themselves facing what has been rightfully called a multi-lane highway. by Azher SiddiquiPublished January 12, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (40 comments)

King-403 Ramp Crossing Update, December 2015The City has made some changes to the King Street West ramp over Highway 403, but the fundamental issues remain unresolved. by Martin ZaratePublished December 21, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

Yet Another Pedestrian Fatality: When Will Council Commit to Safe Streets?It is not a coincidence that senior citizens are disproportionately represented among the victims or that so many of these deadly collisions happen on wide, multi-lane thoroughfares designed to maximize the flow of automobile traffic. by Ryan McGrealPublished December 14, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (72 comments)

Councillors, Staff Present Wentworth Two-Way Conversion PlanThe final designs are not yet complete, but the two-way conversion of Wentworth Street should be complete in time for the start of school in September 2016. by Bob BerberickPublished December 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

Commit to Vision Zero in HamiltonWith a traffic fatality rate of just 3 in 100,000 and falling, Sweden is inspiring other jurisdictions to look more carefully at what it has done to achieve such impressive progress. by Jason LeachPublished December 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (38 comments)

Enough Platitudes: We Need Safe Streets NowI honestly don't know how many more ways we can come at this to try and make the point that Hamilton needs to change how it designs its streets. by Ryan McGrealPublished December 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

How Many More People Have to Die?Enough is enough. It's time to stop using endless plans and studies as an excuse to keep delaying necessary action to make Hamilton safer for everyone. by Ryan McGrealPublished December 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (68 comments)

Tragic Deaths Highlight Need for Safer StreetsThe recent fatality of a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk and a cyclist riding on Claremont Access highlight the unmet need for safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in Hamilton. by Jason LeachPublished December 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)

Let Hamilton Be Ambitious AgainThere will always be people who complain when any change to the status quo happens. We expect better from our leaders. by Jason LeachPublished December 01, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (15 comments)

Complete Streets Opposition the Same Old Political Fear and LoathingThis war on the lower city comes from the ugly political tradition of stoking contempt to manufacture a phony crisis and score cheap points at the expense of the city's overall well-being. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)

Victim Blaming By Police After Pedestrian Struck on SidewalkThe police can't fix what ails Hamilton's streets, but they can stop adding insult to injury - literally - by conceiving and describing collisions in language that blames the pedestrian for daring to get in the way of a car. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 25, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)

City to Install New Crosswalk at Queen and HerkimerThe new crosswalk will be a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) based on new designs recently approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 15, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

OIOPBY and NIYBY in the HammerMore and more, we are seeing Councillors and city staff oppose developments that are actually supported by local residents. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished October 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)

Complete Streets Presentation for SPN WorkshopOur streets are our collective property, our shared public resource. Ultimately, we can choose to do what we want with them. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 02, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

New Pathway along Mountain Brow BoulevardThe new multi-use pathway is wide enough for two-way bike traffic and a raised curb separates it from the road. by Jonathan LambertPublished September 23, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (39 comments)

New McMaster Report: Shaping Hamilton with Complete StreetsA new report by the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics reviews the opportunities for Hamilton to adopt a street design approach to make our streets safer, more inclusive and more economically prosperous. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 15, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)

City Cancelled Sidewalk Inspections in 2012 due to Computer IssuesThe City's beleaguered Public Works Department admitted in court that it did not inspect the City's 2,382 kilometers of sidewalks in 2012 due to "experiencing computer problems". by Joey ColemanPublished June 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)

Dangerously High Vehicle Speeds Recorded on HunterThe fact that half of all drivers exceed the speed limit and maximum speeds of 70 km/h were observed at all times of the day indicates that we do have a very serious and dangerous speeding issue here. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished June 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (80 comments)

Dangerously High Vehicle Speeds Recorded on HerkimerThe City's mobile radar trailer recorded maximum speeds of 80-90 km/h on every day of the trailer's operation on Herkimer Street. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished June 04, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (64 comments)

Stone Church Road East Inhospitable to Human BeingsThese environments are not dangerous because of some immutable natural law. They're dangerous because we built them that way. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (97 comments)

Making Ontario's Roads Safer Act PassesThe Ontario Government has passed a new law that provides additional protection to vulnerable road users and beefs up penalties for distracted and impaired driving. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 02, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)

HHS Parking Expansion Plan is Harmful and UnnecessaryThis parking lot expansion would be harmful to Beasley Neighbourhood, would represent a policy inequity between neighbourhoods, and is not needed. by John NearyPublished May 04, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

Hamilton Out of Excuses Not to Put People FirstEven car-dominated cities can change rapidly if they make a deliberate sequence of decisions to become more attractive, more efficient, less car-dependent places. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished May 01, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (63 comments)

Another Failure of Our One-Way Street NetworkA problem at a single intersection should not make an entire three-block radius inaccessible. by Sean BurakPublished April 22, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (43 comments)

Crossing at Wentworth and Cumberland Only an Interim Measure: FarrA safe crossing at the Rail Trail is still a long-term goal but that will take a long time to achieve, since Canadian Pacific Railway needs to be part of the process and that tends to take a long time. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

Charlton-Wentworth Traffic Calming Proposal a Cop-OutThis back-handed recommendation is typical of a city that does everything it can to avoid inconveniencing people in cars for the sake of people not in cars, even when people are being killed. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 25, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (80 comments)

No Need to Remove Curbside Parking on Bold and BayRemoving curbside parking spots will only result in higher vehicle speeds, less protection for people walking, and needless opposition from people concerned about the loss of parking. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 13, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)

Opposition to Safe Streets Holding Up a Better HamiltonWhy is it so onerous that residents of the Downtown want to feel safe on the streets where we live, work, go to school, shop and play? by Lee Edward McIlmoylePublished February 24, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (45 comments)

More Correspondence With Councillor WhiteheadCouncillor Terry Whitehead doubles down on his claim that downtown transit activists are trying to hijack the city's transportation plans. by Ryan McGrealPublished February 23, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (99 comments)

More Divisive Anti-Downtown Rhetoric from Councillor WhiteheadHow does denigrating citizen engagement, driving a wedge between neighbourhoods, and reducing the lower city's role to that of a place to drive through promote any of the City's goals? by Nicholas KevlahanPublished February 19, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (55 comments)

Vancouver's Extraordinary Transportation StatisticsVancouver's traffic outcome is the predictable result of a deliberate policy to change the context in which people make transportation choices. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (53 comments)

Salvage Something from Bus Lane RemovalWe can't go back to a five-lane highway west of Locke. It is simply too dangerous. by Jason LeachPublished January 24, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)

A Pedestrian's View of King Street in the International VillageThanks to the effect of 'platooning', people have very different experiences on our lower city one-way arterials depending on whether they are inside or outside a car. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 16, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)

A Pedestrian's View of Main Street WestAs long as Main Street continues to be five lanes of roaring high-speed automobile traffic, none of the elements of a pleasant, human-friendly environment will be possible to achieve. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

Waterdown Widening Another Example of Fiscal Double StandardI can't help but wonder whether the city's fiscal watchdogs and scolds will raise the alarm about spending over $20 million to widen a single street. by Ryan McGrealPublished December 19, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)

Response from MTO on Dangerous Hwy 403 Ramps - UpdatedThe Transport Ministry is working with the City 'to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at several interchanges along Highway 403.' by RTH StaffPublished December 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)

Traffic Calming in Strathcona NeighbourhoodThe city's new transportation culture is already in evidence in Strathcona neighbourhood, where staff have been busy adding traffic calming and walkability measures. by RTH StaffPublished December 05, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)

Pedestrian Dies after Collision on Cootes DriveAs long as we continue to deform our built environment to accommodate high-speed, high-volume automobile traffic, people will continue to die. It's really that simple. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)

Active Transportation Roundup, October 2014 EditionIt has been a beautiful autumn in Hamilton, but with cold weather approaching, the City is winding down its outdoor Public Works so this will probably be the last roundup until next spring. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)

James and Young: Yet Another Broken-By-Design CrosswalkWhy bother spending the money to put this crosswalk in, only to make it minimally useful for pedestrians (while claiming that it is an improvement)? by Nicholas KevlahanPublished October 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (48 comments)

Challenges to Citizen Advocacy for Healthy CommunitiesNotes from a talk I gave at the 2014 Health Summit on Aging, Chronic Disease and Wellness, organized by the Conference Board of Canada. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 24, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

City Fixes Broken-By-Design Crosswalk on Hunter at MacNabDeciding that we can't design for walkability because it will disrupt our previous designs to optimize driving is a recipe for preserving the status quo indefinitely. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)

Crosswalk at Hunter and MacNab Deformed to Maintain Automobile Traffic FlowAfter local residents organized to dedicate money to new walkability infrastructure, they are now faced with the prospect of spending another few months trying to get the city to fix the broken-by-design implementation of that infrastructure. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (45 comments)

Pedestrian Killed at Highway 8 and Green RoadWe need to transform all our streets into accessible, inclusive public places that bring people into contact safely and accommodate a variety of ways of getting around. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Yet Another Developer Asking for Two-Way StreetsWe have a classic opportunity for education and leadership, not stalling and cowardice. How much more trauma, injury, death and lost potential will we endure while we wait to act? by Ryan McGrealPublished September 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)

Safe Speeds for Turtles But Not For PeopleMaybe the needs of 1,500 turtles will be taken more seriously than those of 25,000 student and staff residents when deciding whether to make Cootes Drive safer. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished September 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

We Are Already Well Past 'Peak Driving'If we truly seek a prosperous future, it lies in a real commitment to revitalized urban centres that set us on a path to economic sustainability and social inclusion. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 06, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

Two Lanes Closed on Main, No GridlockSurely there must be some low-cost options to 'share' the excess space on Main Street and make it more accessible to everyone. by Bob BerberickPublished July 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (89 comments)

Ward 2 Residents Vote for Safe Crossing at Charlton and WentworthA pedestrian-activated traffic signal for trail users across Wentworth at Charlton will be funded by the Ward 2 area rating fund after voters picked it as a winning proposal in the participatory budget. by Ryan McGrealPublished July 24, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)

John and King Unsafe for PedestriansDespite a policy to support walking, vehicular travel lanes are consistently given top priority whether we consider permanent infrastructure design or temporary closures for construction. by Sean BurakPublished July 06, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)

Four Decades of Stonewalling by the Traffic DepartmentThe Durand and Kirkendall Neighbourhood Associations were requesting two-way conversions, traffic calming and reduced speed limits back in the 1970s. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished June 11, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)

Proposal to Redevelop Mary Street as a Complete StreetWe encourage local residents and businesspeople and all other people who have an interest in the design of Mary Street to come out to our community meeting on June 5 to give their opinions on this proposal. by Allison Chewter and John NearyPublished June 04, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)

Edinburgh to Enforce 30 km/h Speed Limit on All Residential StreetsWith more than three decades of clear evidence, there is no excuse for any city to continue dragging its feet on implementing a safe, humane speed limit for the most dangerous objects on the road. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 23, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)

Paris to Implement City-Wide 30 km/h Speed LimitThis is not a timid pilot project with a five-year moratorium on implementing changes anywhere else: it is a city-wide initiative that follows logically from the city's experiments with lower-speed and pedestrian-only zones. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished May 22, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)

Over 15,000 Hamilton Motorists Ran Red Lights in 2013I suppose all those self-described drivers who say cyclists shouldn't be allowed on the roads because they roll through stop signs will hang their heads in shame. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished May 21, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (41 comments)

More Parochial Excuses Not to Implement Two-Way ConversionsIs it really so strange that the city's largest employment hub, business and creative centre gets a lot of attention, especially since it has been under-performing for so many years due to self-inflicted wounds? by Nicholas KevlahanPublished May 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (71 comments)

Another Senior Citizen Dies after Automobile CollisionPedestrians are disproportionately at risk of injury and death on high-volume thoroughfares where the physics of high vehicle speeds means collisions are both harder to avoid and more likely to result in serious injury. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 07, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)

City to Spend Tens of Millions on Road ReconstructionBefore freaking out about the next cycling investment, we need to put our our very modest investments in walking and cycling infrastructure into perspective. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 23, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (46 comments)

Freeway Speeds on City Streets Designed Like FreewaysApart from the houses and chain link fence on the Claremont Access, its design is not much different from Highway 407. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished April 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)

Sign up to Slow Down with 30 to ZeroZero accidents is our goal. Driving 30 kilometres an hour in neighbourhoods is one of the ways we'll get there together. by Jay RobbPublished April 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (100 comments)

Ideas to Recall Our Streets from Boulder, ColoradoIn Boulder, Colorado, they have 'recalled' dangerous highway-style slip turn lanes to slow traffic and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished April 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

Recall Our Streets By Lowering Speed LimitsCities and towns around the world are moving to a 30 km/h speed limit for residential and urban streets. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 07, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)

City Streets Engineered for 70-100 km/hOur traffic engineers are actively enabling dangerous lawbreaking by motorists. This is not just hypocritical and immoral, it is also extremely dangerous. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished April 04, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (59 comments)

Time to Issue a Recall on Hamilton's Unsafe StreetsOur streets are designed for fast driving, and that has made them far more dangerous than average. When are we going to 'recall our streets' to fix their fatal design flaws? by Nicholas KevlahanPublished April 02, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)

Hamilton Deserves Better than Knee-Jerk PopulismThis is not just some "culture war" drama but a life-and-death struggle to make this city safe for its own citizens - and particularly its most vulnerable residents. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 02, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)

City to Conduct Traffic Safety Review on Queen StreetAfter two serious vehicle collisions with pedestrians in less than a month, city staff will review Queen Street to identify potential improvements. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 31, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

No More Queen Street CarnageAny politician who continues to defend and excuse this city's insane legacy of deadly cars-first-and-cars-only road infrastructure against all evidence to the contrary has the blood of these preventable pedestrian injuries and deaths on their hands. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 28, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (79 comments)

City Finally Notices that Traffic Volumes are FallingFor years, we at RTH have been arguing that Hamilton has too much lane capacity and that the excess roadway should be put to more productive use. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 26, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)

Driver Kills Elderly Pedestrian, Found Not Guilty of Careless DrivingIt is hard to build a safe transportation infrastructure for pedestrians when the courts interpret the laws in a way that makes it clear there is no real deterrent for not driving safely around pedestrians. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished March 14, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)

Latest Pedestrian Injury Part of a Depressing PatternStreet design must begin with the assumption that there will be people on the street - and that those people deserve respect. by Ryan McGrealPublished February 12, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)

Stop Blaming Pedestrians for Dangerous StreetsWhen it is effectively impossible to walk safely from one address on a given street to the next address, there is something fundamentally wrong with the design of that street. by Ryan McGrealPublished February 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)

Bristol Moves Ahead With 32 km/h Speed LimitBristol is moving quickly to establish a safer speed limit over much of the city, while Hamilton insists on a five-year pilot in the North End before considering any other reductions. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Longwood Road Should Follow Complete Street GuidelinesAccording to Chicago's complete streets design guidelines, Longwood Road is an excellent candidate to be one lane in each direction, not four lanes with a centre turn lane. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (68 comments)

Complete Streets? Stop the Madness!This is the road network we need and deserve - free from the irritation of cyclists, pedestrians, stop lights, turning lanes, oncoming traffic, and pretty much any other users of the road, allowing you to get anywhere in well under 20 minutes. by Chris HigginsPublished December 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)

The Walkability Dividend and the Age-Old Political StruggleEvery municipal service that cities provide today is the outcome of an earlier argument between people who wanted to improve urban quality of life and people who didn't want their taxes to go up.` by Ryan McGrealPublished December 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

An Open Letter to Councillor Lloyd FergusonDowntown does belong to everyone, and our one-way, high-speed thoroughfares are holding it back from realizing its potential. by Justin JonesPublished December 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)

The Transportation Revolution is ComingThe car culture is a juggernaut, but we should all take comfort in the fact that in the background, several forces are working to our advantage. by Matthew SweetPublished November 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)

How Legal Liability is Determined in a Driver-Pedestrian CollisionLegal liability assessments in the case of collisions between drivers and pedestrians indicates that the City's policy of neglecting uncontrolled crosswalks is not legally sound. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished November 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (40 comments)

'Courtesy Crossing' Signage Not Finalized YetThe City should be trying to educate drivers that they do have to yield to pedestrians crossing legally at an uncontrolled intersection. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 08, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)

Yet More Pedestrian Improvements Across HamiltonWith Councillors supporting a new pedestrian mobility plan, let's take a look at some recent pedestrian improvements the city has already made. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 07, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)

Summary of New Pedestrian Mobility Plan (Part 2 of 2)The new Pedestrian Mobility Plan is big step for pedestrian safety, equity, economic development and revitalization, but it is missing arguments on some of these key points. by Sara MayoPublished November 05, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

Summary of New Pedestrian Mobility Plan (Part 1 of 2)New Pedestrian Mobility Plan is big step for pedestrian safety, equity, economic development and revitalization: City staff present a detailed walkability strategy to Hamilton's Councillors on Wednesday. by Sara MayoPublished November 05, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Anti-Pedestrian 'Courtesy Crossing' Pilot in New Pedestrian Signal ProgramCity staff recommend a new proposal to put up signs at uncontrolled intersections warning pedestrians that vehicles are 'not required to stop'. This dangerous plan misrepresents the Highway Traffic Act. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished November 04, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)

Pedestrian Crossing Coming to Main and PearlTraffic lights have been installed and await inspection for a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk on Main Street at Pearl Street. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 23, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)

Time to Abandon a Failed Theory of City BuildingAfter decades of applying the theory that economic development in downtown Hamilton depends on making it easy to drive, the verdict is in. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 08, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

No Excuse Not to Understand How Cities WorkThe lower city and particularly the downtown core do belong to everyone, and that means everyone has a legitimate interest to ensure that it flourishes and thrives. by Ryan McGrealPublished October 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)

Who Has the Right of Way at an Uncontrolled Crosswalk?Many drivers assume they have the right of way at uncontrolled crosswalks, but both drivers and pedestrians have a shared responsibility to accommodate each other. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)

Cannon Street a Case Study in Disastrous DesignCannon Street should be full of people walking, cycling, chatting, doing business, socializing and otherwise interacting. Instead, it is desolate, save for the clumps of fast automobile traffic. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 22, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (110 comments)

Raise the PedestrianPedestrians legally have the right of way at intersections, but drivers in Hamilton do not expect to have to stop for them. This expectation needs to change if Hamilton is to achieve inclusive streets. by Brynn HorleyPublished August 20, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)

ZebrapaloozaTactical Urbanism, North End Traffic Plan, Code Red Neighbourhood Planning and citizen/Councillor requests boost a limited pilot project into a boom in pedestrian improvements at intersections across the city. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (51 comments)

Draft Complete Streets Policy Adds to Momentum in HamiltonComplete Streets policy is becoming understood by more and more organizations, businesses and residents across Hamilton as a key to improving health, quality of life and economic opportunities. by Sara MayoPublished July 31, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back on Pedestrian Safety in HamiltonAfter years of neglect, there have been encouraging signs in the past couple of months that the City's attitude toward pedestrian safety is starting to change. It needs to change faster. by Ryan McGrealPublished July 17, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)

Buffalo Can Teach Us About Thriving Urban NeighbourhoodsBuffalo's Elmwood district is demonstrating that success can be developed in any urban area when the goal is to create vibrant business districts and residential neighbourhoods instead of merely treating these neighbourhoods as dead freeways. by Jason LeachPublished July 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)

Toward a Complete Streets Policy for HamiltonAn inspiring policy event on complete streets in Hamilton calls on all of us to become advocates for safe, walkable, cyclable, equitable streets that serve everyone. by Maria TopalovicPublished June 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

Complete Streets: Burden of Proof on OpponentsWe need to challenge opponents to produce evidence that supports their speculative claims against making our streets safer and more accessible to everyone. by Justin JonesPublished June 27, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)

A Complete Streets Policy for HamiltonCome to a public event on June 26 to help grassroots policy development for Hamilton's upcoming Complete Streets policy. by Sara MayoPublished June 13, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (15 comments)

Pedestrian Use Triples After Crosswalk InstalledAccording to new data provided by the City, pedestrian crossing at Aberdeen and Kent has more than tripled since a pedestrian-activated crosswalk was installed there. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)

City Bolsters Crosswalks at Multiple LocationsThe City has undertaken crosswalk improvements at several locations around Hamilton, suggesting a new commitment to maintaining and improving walkable infrastructure. by Ryan McGrealPublished June 07, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)

Hamilton 'Must' Convert Streets Back to Two-Way: ArchitectsFollowing a long history of advocacy for livable streets, the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects has delivered a strongly written demand that Council convert downtown streets back to two-way traffic. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 31, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (114 comments)

NYC Redesigns its Streets for Safety, Vitality and Diverse UseNew York City measures what it wants to improve: improve: more pedestrians, more cyclists, fewer injuries, less speeding, better business. Hamilton measures service level for drivers and calls it a day. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 13, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)

Ghost Crosswalks Haunt Hamilton IntersectionsLet's hope that recent citizen actions mark the beginning, not the end, of 'autonomous civic engineering' around our city, or at least spark a little serious soul-searching among those who do it for a living. by UndustrialPublished May 12, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)

Two-Way Study Group Audits Queen StreetAs the City continues to move forward in exploring how to address transportation planning, this participatory approach may be of great help to a Council looking to engage more directly with its citizens. by Dave HeidebrechtPublished April 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)

Cannon Street in PicturesThese photos show how dysfunctional Cannon Street is today. There is no good reason not to convert Cannon into a balanced, complete street right now. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 09, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (47 comments)

Complete Streets Renovations in Toronto Should Inspire HamiltonAs Hamilton prepares to do complete streets renovations on Queen and Cannon Streets, we should take a cue from Toronto's successful renovations on Landsdowne and Roncesvalles Avenues. by Jason LeachPublished April 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

Kill a Pedestrian, Pay a $500 FineFar from always being 'blamed', the motorist who kills a pedestrian in a crosswalk is almost always given the benefit of the doubt. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished March 21, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)

Streets are for PeopleA city whose streets are designed for people in cars, but not all the other ways people use to get around - like walking, cycling and public transit - is dysfunctional by design. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

One-Way King Street Strikes AgainPeople make decisions at the margin, and small differences in accessibility produce big differences in behaviour. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (76 comments)

Portland Bureau of Transportation on Traffic ManagementPortland doesn't have 'best place to raise a child' as its official slogan, but they are light years ahead of us in achieving that goal. by Jason LeachPublished January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)

Hamilton's Car-Centric Infrastructure Strikes AgainEach one of these deadly automobile-centric intersections represents negligence on behalf of the city, putting road users at risk with a benefit to no one. by Sean BurakPublished January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (90 comments)

OMB Rejects North End Speed Limit Appeal on James, BurlingtonThe Ontario Municipal Board rejected a proposal to impose a 30 km/h speed limit on every North End street including James and Burlington, arguing that the City's transportation plan will increase pedestrian safety without sacrificing flexibility. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (60 comments)

Data Show Traffic Volume Argument For One-Way Streets Is FalseThe data show once and for all that the massive one-way network that was built to accommodate the crush of north-east industrial sector workers is simply not needed anymore. by Jason LeachPublished December 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (67 comments)

Sound the Alarm: Council Set to Engage on Complete StreetsAs a dialogue on two-way conversions grows alongside similar dialogues on downtown renewal, economic prosperity, and municipal and regional transportation, the more citizens that truly engage in these issues, the better. by Dave HeidebrechtPublished December 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)

Complete Streets Support Public HealthA Complete Streets Policy for the City of Hamilton would help the city focus on addressing the relationship between health and the built environment, but success will not come without public support. by Maria TopalovicPublished November 29, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)

Transportation and a Healthy Hamilton: A Growing Community DialogueWhen communities attempt to engage with decision-makers on the importance of complete streets, it is crucial to frame the argument within the context of larger policy issues. by Dave HeidebrechtPublished November 27, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)

Hamilton: Still Anti-Urban in 2012King Street west of Bay carries 24,800 cars per day. As anyone in the area has noted, traffic flows fine with the lane closures, even during rush hour. The rest of the day it's a downright scary freeway. by Jason LeachPublished November 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (54 comments)

Enough is Enough: No More Pedestrian CarnageCity streets designed for slow-moving automobile traffic are streets designed to be inherently safe. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 02, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Lessons from Buffalo for Hunter StreetHunter Street has room for curbside parking and two-way bike lanes, and one traffic lane is more than enough capacity for the number of cars it carries today. by Jason LeachPublished October 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Turning Cannon into a Complete StreetNow is the time to bring balance and complete streets to our major one-way corridors through our urban neighbourhoods and through the heart of our downtown commercial district. by Jason LeachPublished October 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)

Greetings From LondonA recent visitor to Hamilton loved our hospitality and friendliness, but was seriously off-put by our intimidating and confusing one-way streets. by Jenn NelsonPublished September 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)

Two-Way Street Networks are More ResilientToo much of the debate over Hamilton's streets is driven by familiarity with the status quo, fear of change and a tendency to rationalize existing beliefs instead of reasoning from evidence. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)

Coroner's Report on Pedestrians Recommends Complete StreetsThe Ontario Coroner's report on pedestrians recommends a "road safety paradigm shift" to reduce vehicle speeds and improve the accessibility and safety of streets for all modes, especially the most vulnerable road users. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 20, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)

Comparing Traffic Volumes on One-Way and Two-Way StreetsWhat happens to the traffic volume argument against two-way conversion when our city's two-way streets actually carry more cars than the one-ways? by Jason LeachPublished September 19, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)

Complete Streets Would Help Code Red AreasI'm not asking Hamilton City Council to lead the way or do anything ground-breaking. I simply ask that we learn from other cities that have already led the way and have done things that work. by Jason LeachPublished September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (50 comments)

Who Has a Story to Tell?The flurry of facts, figures and studies surrounding the benefits of change are no match for a compelling narrative. by Jason AllenPublished September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)

Councillors Balk at Implementing Two-Way StreetsFear of change was the order of the day among mountain and suburban councillors, who backed away from a proposal to implement the 'Putting People First' agenda approved in 2001 and reaffirmed in 2008. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (118 comments)

84 Letters for Councillors on Two-Way Implementation TeamOf the 84 letters residents submitted to today's General Issues Committee meeting, 80 fully support Councillor McHattie's motion to establish a one-way to two-way implementation team and only three oppose it. by RTH StaffPublished September 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

One-Way Streets Make Wayfinding More DifficultOne-way streets help create distorted cognitive maps of a city that present it as inaccessible, with incredible friction of mobility. by Dwayne AliPublished September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)

Two-Way Streets Support Neighbourhood EquityComplete streets, neighbourhood equity and an aging population are important considerations for the proposed two-way streets implementation committee. by Sara MayoPublished September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (94 comments)

Take Action to Support Two-Way Implementation TeamTake a few minutes to send a letter of support for Councillor McHattie's two-way implementation team before noon on Wednesday, September 5. by Ryan McGrealPublished September 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (39 comments)

Motion to Establish a One-Way to Two-Way Implementation TeamCouncillor McHattie's motion would establish a committee to plan and implement two-way conversions across Wards 1 and 2, starting with Cannon and Queen Street. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (54 comments)

One-Way Streets and Two-Way Conversion in ParisIt is possible to make a one-way street like Main pedestrian-friendly, but it would involve huge cost and a major decrease in traffic capacity - and it wouldn't address the harm done to local businesses. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished June 22, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

One-Way Streets are Holding Hamilton BackUntil Hamilton's main east-west streets are returned to even a modicum of livability, there's really no point in talking about inviting new business or slapping up snazzy banners and calling it something-ville. by David-James FernandesPublished June 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (83 comments)

Collision on Cannon Street a Lethal Wake-Up CallHow many more people need to be injured or killed before our Council and traffic engineers decide to engineer our streets for safety, rather than lethal speeds? by Jonathan DaltonPublished June 13, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (118 comments)

Disconnects Between Two-Way Conversion Plan and ImplementationCitizens, staff and councillors have dedicated countless hours of discussion and debate developing the Downtown Transportation Master Plan, but there is a terrible gap between what the plans call for and what has actually occurred. by Kelly Foyle and Simon KissPublished June 12, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)

Hamilton Needs the Courage to Change with the TimesIf your goal is to move as many cars through the city as quickly as possible, one-way streets are excellent. The devastating trade-off is that they destroy the livelihood of the neighbourhoods they pass through. by Terry CookePublished June 10, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)

The Impact of Street Traffic on Residents: Some Research FindingsResearch from Denver and San Francisco indicate that traffic on one-way streets is more intimidating than on two-way streets, and that neighbourhood interaction declines as traffic increases. by Sarah V. WaylandPublished June 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)

A New Vision For Main Street WestThese illustrations demonstrate what Main Street could be like, what it should be like, and perhaps what it will be like if City Council - and the City's traffic engineers - heed the growing clamour for balanced streets. by Adrian DuyzerPublished June 01, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (147 comments)

Traffic Engineers Reorganized into Multiple DivisionsWill the reorganization of the city's traffic engineers into more integrated divisions help to effect the shift in priorities on which our Transportation Master Plan is founded? by Ryan McGrealPublished May 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)

Support Growing for Walkable StreetsMomentum is building among councillors and city staff to revisit Hamilton's 50-year-old commitment to fast traffic flow through the core. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 28, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)

A Conversation with Councillor MorelliWard 3 Councillor Bernie Morelli talks about improving walkability, building an integrated and connected transportation system, and dealing with speeding traffic and the challenges of an inner city ward. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (57 comments)

Usability and Usefulness of One-Way StreetsIn the design of a city street - the most fundamental piece of public infrastructure - it makes more sense to target the broadest possible use, i.e. everyone. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 23, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)

City Streets Deserve a Chance to SucceedWhy are business owners on King Street less deserving of an atmosphere for success than business owners on King Street in Dundas or Wilson Street in Ancaster? by Jason LeachPublished May 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Changing Our Perspective on One-Way StreetsThe livability of our downtown streets can no longer be guided by those who see them only as a means to get through as quickly as possible. by Aaron NewmanPublished May 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)

Walkability and Transit Are Key To Hamilton's EconomyA report commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce finds that "walkable environments should be viewed as economic infrastructure that attract employment and should be invested in accordingly." by Adrian DuyzerPublished May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (15 comments)

Hamilton's Problem Is Not IgnoranceNo matter how many times we hear from experts, no matter how many pleas we hear from the people who actually live downtown, and no matter how many cities we observe engaging in successful processes of transformation, we don't change. by Adrian DuyzerPublished May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (65 comments)

Safe Streets in Hamilton's North End up to Ontario Municipal BoardUrban neighbourhoods cannot go on allowing themselves to be terrorized by large volumes of traffic moving at high speeds on streets not meant to act as extensions of provincial highways. by Shawn SelwayPublished May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)

Hamilton: Succeeding And Failing At The Same Time"On The Cusp", an event recently held in Hamilton, turned a spotlight on Hamilton's ongoing inability to engage in the fundamental transformation it needs. by Adrian DuyzerPublished May 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)

Plans for Pedestrians or Streets for Pedestrians?Although the various plans and policies developed in Hamilton are usually progressive and intelligent, they are mostly ignored by our decision makers. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished February 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)

No Excuse For Hamilton's Pedestrian DeathsIf a dozen people were randomly shot and killed in Hamilton, the community would go nuts. So why are we so complacent about pedestrians dying on our streets? by Adrian DuyzerPublished October 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (45 comments)

A Distant Mirror: 40 Years of Urbanism in VancouverVancouver and Hamilton were remarkably similar cities 40 years ago, but deliberate choices have put these two cities on diverging paths. This article examines the reasons Vancouver has become a city known for its livability and dense urban form. by Nicholas KevlahanPublished August 02, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (71 comments)

Enough Ideas: Time for ActionHow many more times do we need to keep hearing the same message about what needs to change before we muster up the courage to act? by Ryan McGrealPublished June 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

Successful Pedestrian Places Can Inspire HamiltonSuccessful pedestrian places provide public space that is attractive and functional, feels comfortable and safe, mixes a variety of uses (including residential), and de-emphasizes the automobile. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 26, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (98 comments)

Gore Master Plan 'Still On Schedule' Despite Pedestrian Pilot CancellationInstead of installing parking meters on an "interim basis", the City could have simply closed the south leg to through traffic on an "interim basis", granted nearby businesses some generous outdoor operating licences and watched what happened. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 25, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

Where Can Pedestrians Cross the Street?Hamilton Police Constable Claus Wagner has kindly provided some clarification on what pedestrians are and are not allowed to do when crossing the street. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 15, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)

Walkability Website Launches Local CampaignA new website provides the ability for community organizers to launch local walkability campaigns. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

Forgiving and Unforgiving Road NetworksThe only way to achieve a real reduction in pedestrian casualties is through a street network designed to anticipate, tolerate and forgive human imperfection. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)

Ottawa Street Textile and Shopping District The Great Places in Canada competition has taught us locally that we embrace and are proud of the type of experience provided by community-friendly neighbourhood streets. by Larry PattisonPublished March 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (52 comments)

Hamilton's Great Places Can Teach Us About Livable Street DesignJames Street North, Locke Street South and Ottawa Street North are among Hamilton's most vibrant, livable streets, providing object lessons on how to improve the livability of the rest of the city. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 18, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)

Taking Steps Toward a Pedestrian Master PlanThe Pedestrian Master Plan is an opportunity for Hamilton to raise the priority of walkable neighbourhoods from 'nice to have' into a real strategic goal. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 10, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)

Faults and Faultlines: On Making Safer StreetsWe need an approach to traffic safety that assumes people are imperfect and establishes an environment that is more fault tolerant than our streets are today. by Ryan McGrealPublished March 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (48 comments)

Will City Commit Fully to Livable Downtown Streets?If we don't go all-in with our rapid transit plan, we're at serious risk of ending up with an underwhelming rapid transit system with minimal impact. by Ryan McGrealPublished July 16, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)

Two-Way Streets, Not More StudiesHamilton needs to follow the footsteps of those cities that already mustered the courage to do right by their downtown streets and are enjoying the fruits of the urban renaissance we also claim to desire. by Ryan McGrealPublished February 21, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (63 comments)

So How's That Enforcement Working For You?When policy goes up against human nature, policy loses every time. Successful policies work because they are designed to accommodate what people are going to do anyway. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 14, 2009 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)

The Speed FactorIt's dangerous nonsense to suggest that speed is not a factor when a moving vehicle kills a pedestrian. by Ryan McGrealPublished February 09, 2007 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)

Safer Streets by DesignAs well as trying to change behaviours, we should also arrange our physical environment so the danger of collisions is reduced without sacrificing the pedestrian character of city streets. by Ryan McGrealPublished August 30, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)

Boulevard of Repaired DreamsUpper James is a nightmare today, but it would make a wonderful European-style boulevard. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 09, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)

No Two Ways About ItAll the myriad encounters and interactions that take place in city streets collectively add up to city life, city economy, and city culture. by Ryan McGrealPublished November 10, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)

Open UpThe lesson for King Street West is to follow the lead of architect Bruce Kuwabara, who managed to transform an ugly fortress into a warm, inviting gallery, and open the facilities to the street. by Ryan McGrealPublished May 31, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)

Child Friendly CitiesDespite airs of child-friendliness, the actual built environment of suburbia is extremely hostile to children's most basic needs. by Ryan McGrealPublished April 14, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)

Braving the TunnelGood streets aren't created by fiat, but given fertile conditions, good streets can be 'grown' over time. If we make the necessary changes, Main Street may still bear fruit. by Ryan McGrealPublished January 14, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)